CostIndexUSA

Cary, NC vs Midland, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NC
Cary
98.2
overall index
$1,650/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Midland
95.8
overall index
$1,575/mo rent

Midland is slightly cheaper than Cary — 2.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Cary, you would need $78,000 in Midland. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing1.9%
Cary
103.5
Midland
101.5
🛒 Groceries2.9%
Cary
96.6
Midland
93.8
🚗 Transportation1.9%
Cary
103.1
Midland
101.1
🏥 Healthcare2.0%
Cary
93.3
Midland
91.4
Utilities6.5%
Cary
89
Midland
83.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Cary to see what you'd need to earn in Midland to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Midland, TX
$78,000
$2,000 less needed in Midland

Formula: salary × (95.8 ÷ 98.2) = salary × 0.9756. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Cary, NC

Median Home Price
$428,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,650
Housing Index
103.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.6×

Midland, TX

Median Home Price
$320,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
101.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.9×

Cary has 1.9% lower housing costs compared to Midland.

Income & Job Market

Cary, NC

Median Household Income
$96,100
Per Capita Income
$54,800
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
174,721
Top Industries
TechnologyFinanceHealthcareEducationResearch

Midland, TX

Median Household Income
$92,900
Per Capita Income
$53,000
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
Population
132,950
Top Industries
EnergyOil & GasHealthcareManufacturingFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Cary, NC
4.9×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Midland, TX
4.9×income-to-rent ratio

80% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.